BBC Radio York has chosen Martin House Children’s Hospice as its charity partner.

Earlier this year the station invited charities to contact it as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, so it could help support a local cause that made a clear difference to the lives of people in North Yorkshire.

More than 100 charities expressed an interest and nearly 30 submitted a formal application, and from a final shortlist of four, Martin House was chosen on Monday. The station will support the Good Night’s Sleep Appeal over the next 12 months, seeking to raise £120,000.

Martin House, at Boston Spa, opened in 1987 as Yorkshire’s first children’s hospice and only the second in the country. It is helping more than 70 local families living with children with life-limiting illnesses or who have lost a child and still receive support from the hospice. The Good Night’s Sleep Appeal aims to raise money to provide families with five nights’ support and care in the hospice.

Sarah Drummond, managing editor of Radio York, said: “We have had a tremendous launch day with our listeners and Martin House Children’s Hospice. More than one per cent of the target has been pledged by our listeners and I would like to thank them for their generosity now and in the year to come.”